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McKellar, George Alexander (Corporal)

Killed in Flying Accident 1943-March-12

Birth Date: 1920 (age 23)

Son of Duncan and Marguerite McKellar, of Winnipeg.

Home: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Service
RCAF
Unit
11 EFTS- Elementary Flying Training School
Base
Cap de la Madeleine, Quebec, Canada
Rank
Corporal
Marshal
Air Chief MarshalA/C/M
Air MarshalA/M
Air Vice MarshalA/V/M
Air CommodoreA/C
Group CaptainG/C
Wing CommanderW/C
Squadron LeaderS/L
Flight LieutenantF/L
Flying OfficerF/O
Pilot OfficerP/O
Warrant Officer 1st ClassWO1
Warrant Officer 2nd ClassWO2
Flight SergeantFS
SergeantSGT
CorporalCPL
Senior AircraftmanSAC
Leading AircraftmanLAC
Aircraftman 1st ClassAC1
Aircraftman 2nd ClassAC2
Position
Pilot
Service Numbers
R/86780
Fleet Finch aircraft 4561 and 4694 collided in the air, went into a spin and crashed three miles west of the aerodrome at Cap de la Madeleine. Cpl. McKellar was the only casualty of the four airmen involved.

Canada Primary Source School Daily Diary Entry "“ 1943-03-12

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Finch Finch II Serial: 4694
  2. Finch Finch II Serial: 4561

All the aircraft in the above list are referenced in this report.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Finadagrave.com

Canada Primary Source Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Home
Google MapWinnipeg, Manitoba
Burial
Google MapBrookside Cemetery
Mil Sec Lot 1915

Finch 4561

Fleet Finch

Fleet Finch Mk. IICanadian Warplane Heritage Museum

The Fleet Finch was the final version of a whole family of light biplane trainers, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of Buffalo, NY and intended for civilian use. Few of these aircraft were marketed under the Consolidated name, as most were sold through Fleet Aircraft Canada, under a range of model numbers. Only the RCAF gave any of these models names, calling the Model 7 the Fawn and the Model 16 the Finch. These aircraft were built from 1930 to 1941, all at Fort Erie, Ontario.

The Finch was developed to meet an RCAF requirement for a fully aerobatic, primary trainer. The RCAF ordered the first batch of aircraft in July 1939 and powered by a Kinner R5-2, 160 hp engine, they were designated the Fleet Finch Mk. I. Most of these aircraft were delivered to the RCAF Central Flying School at Trenton, Ontario by early 1940.

The RCAF placed a further order for primary trainers with Fleet in January 1940. The Fleet Finch Mk. II, powered by a Kinner B-5R, 130 hp engine, first flew from Fort Erie in March 1940. During the following year, over 400 Fleet Finch Mk. IIs were delivered to BCATP Elementary Flying Schools right across Canada.

The Fleet Finch was well liked by the RCAF as it was a rugged aircraft, was relatively easy to fly and withstood the abuse of novice pilots. Some Fleet Finches remained in service with the RCAF until 1947, but most were retired by October 1944. Their role as a primary trainer was taken over by Fairchild PT-26 Cornell. Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

YouTube Fleet Finch

last update: 2021-09-07 16:39:39

Finch Finch II 4561

Category A damage on 12 March 1943 at Cap de Madeleine, Quebec. Probably with No. 11 EFTS at the time.

1940-08-19 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-January-21 Accident: 9 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Appleton NY Names: Buchanan
1941-February-09 Accident: 9 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Blain
1941-April-19 Accident: 9 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Niagara Township Names: Shepherd
1941-April-30 Accident: 9 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Ross
1942-July-05 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Lavallee
1942-September-11 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: St Pierre
1942-December-04 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Gesner | Skelton
1943-March-12 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: W Of Local Airport Names: Boudreau | Macintyre | Mckellar | Newton
1943-05-05 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

Finch 4694

Finch Finch II 4694

Category A damage on 12 March 1943 at Cap de la Madeleine, probably with No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School.

1940-11-20 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1943-March-12 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: W Of Local Airport Names: Boudreau | Macintyre | Mckellar | Newton
1943-05-06 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

11 EFTS (11 Elementary Flying Training School)

An Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) gave a trainee 50 hours of basic flying instruction on a simple trainer like the De Havilland Tiger Moth, Fleet Finch, or Fairchild Cornell over 8 weeks.Elementary schools were operated by civilian flying clubs under contract to the RCAF and most of the instructors were civilians. For example, No. 12 EFTS Goderich was run by the Kitchener-Waterloo Flying Club and the County of Huron Flying Club.The next step for a pilot was the Service Flying Training School.

School operated by Quebec Airways and CP Air.

Information on RCAF Station Cap de la Madeleine can be found here

RCAF Roundel RCAF.info - RCAF Station Cap de la Madeleine QC

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